Lamp fixture supporting device



Sept 19, 1950 E. G. ANDERSON 2,523,180

LAMP FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed July V8, 194e 2 sheets-sheet 1 I i Ih f figgjai/@afar @MM2/7M Sept. 19, 1950 E. G. ANDERSON LAMP FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1946 Patented Sept. 19, `1950 LAMP FIXTURE SUPPORTING DEVICE Ernst `Gr. Anderson, deceased, late of Chicago, Ill., by E. Harold Anderson, administrator, Lake Bluff, Ill., assignor to Simplet Electric Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application July 8, 1946, Serial No. 681,835

6 Claims. l

The present invention relates tor lamp xture supporting devices and more particularly'to an improved device for adjustably supporting an elongated lamp xture, su-ch, for example Ias a fluorescent lamp iixture, from a, conduit box or the like.`

` The vadvent of fluorescent lighting employing elongated tubular lamps has given rise to the problem of providing an inexpensive and rugged device for supporting an elongated lamp fixture from -a ceiliing outlet fixture (usually in the form of a conduit box or the like) having an open side facing downwardly. In the usual installation, it is also desirable to provide for adjustment of the position of the lamp fixture in a horizontal plane, thereby to permit angular positioning oi the elongated light pattern. While the facilities provided to permit angular adjustment oi' the lamp xture should be such as to permit the adjustment to be made without the use of tools, they should not permit free rotation of the fixture since in such event the fixture may be rotated from an established desired position to an undesired position by vibrational or other forces inadvertently imposed thereon.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved device for supporting an elongated lamp fixture from a conduit box or the like.

,'Itis another object of the invention to provide an improved device of the character def scribed which is so constructed and arranged as to permit angular adjustment of the supported nxture without the use of tools and yet will not permit inadvertent rotation of the fixture after vthe rdesired setting thereof is once established.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of the character described which is of rugged construction, is comprised solely of a relatively small number of die stampings of low cost and yet is of pleasing appearance.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood'by reference to the following specification taken in connection 4with the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the present improvedsupporting device in its use to support a uorescent lamp xture;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating certain parts of the present improved supporting device prior to assembly;

Fig. 3 is a side sectional view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 4 illustrating the supporting device shown in Fig. 1 assembled upon a conduit box;

Fig. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the device;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines 5 5 in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View illustrating a modification of the device.

Referring now to the drawings `and more particularly-to Fig. 1 thereof, the present improved device, generally identied at I0, is there illustrated `in its use to support an elongated iluorescent lamp fixture II from a conduit box I2. The conduit box I2 is positioned along a structural Ceiling I3 and is fixedly mounted on a structural member I6 by means of screws or bolts I5.

As shown, the elongated lamp fixture II is pro-` vided with eye-bolts I Ia and I Ib at opposite ends thereof which connect with the end links of chains I4 and I5 extending to the notched ends 27a and 28a, respectively, of the arms '21 and 28 embodied in the devi-ce I 0. Thus the fixture I I, which may conventionally house one or more elongated and tubular uorescent lamps, is supported in a horizontal plane displaced downwardly from the ceiling I3. Current for energizing the lamps may be supplied from the conductors of a cord I Ic which is plug-connected with the socket connector of the device IIJ in a mannerfully apparent from the following description.

In brief, the present improved supporting device I0 comprises a base Il adapted to be xedly secured to the conduit box I2 and to cover the open lower side thereof; an armmember I8 provided with the oppositely directed arms 2l and 28 and a center portion generally indicated at 29; and means comprising a cup-shaped assembly member IS coacting with the center portion 29 of the arm member 8 rotatably to support this arm member from the base I'I. The device further comprises a socket type circuit connector 20 positioned within and supported by the cupshaped assembly member I9 and held in assembled position within this member by means oi a U-shaped assembly element 2| having laterally extending leg ends which are screw-connected to the base I'I by means of assembly screws 23.

More specifically considered, the base I1 is provided with openings IIa and slots IIb either of which may be used to receive screws 22 which are threaded into struck-out portions I2a of the conduit box I2 fixedly to mount the base upon the conduit box at the open side thereof. The `base I'I further includes a die-formed downwardly extending cup-shaped portion 24, the bottom wall 25 of which is provided with an enlarged opening 26 for receiving the tubular wall of the cup-shaped assembly member I9. rIlhis opening is in registry with an enlarged opening 3| formed in the center portion 29 of the arm member IS. The arm member center portion 29 is further provided with an annular part 36 the upper surface of which is in bearing engagement with the wall 25.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, the cup-shaped assembly member I9 is utilized to clamp the engaged surfaces of the base Il and the arm member I8 in tight frictional engagement, such that relative rotation therebetween is frictionally resisted to hold the arm member in any angular position to which it may be adjusted relative to the b-ase I'I. To this end, the cup-shaped member I9 is provided with an inwardly deformed portion 34, the rim part 34a of which is spun over during assembly of the device to engage the upiper side of the wall 25 and tightly clamp the bearing surfaces of the two members I'I and I8 in engagement. For the purpose of limiting rotation of the arm member 28 relative to the base I'I to an angle slightly less than 360, a stop part 25a is struck downwardly from the wall -25 to project into the rotational path of cooperating stop parts 2Ic punched outwardly from the arm member center portion 29 adjacent the arm 2l. With the described construction, the friction developed at the engaged surfaces of the three parts I'I, I8 and I9 serves t prevent relative rotation between the parts I'I and I8 except when a rotational force of alppreciable magnitude is positively applied to one or both of the arms 2 1 and 28 adjacent the ends thereof. Thus inadvertent rotation of the elongated lampiixture Ii carried by the supporting device I9 from a desired set position is positively prevented.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the ruggedness and Weightsupporting capabilities of the device I0 are materially enhanced by angularly relating the arms 2 and 28 to extend outwardly and downwardly along lines which extend substantially straight away from the center portion 29 of the member I8 toward opposite ends of the lamp fixture II in the manner best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. With this arrangement, the weight of the fixture II and the lamps supported thereby produce forces in the arms 2l and 28 which are manifested almost exclusively as tension forces longitudinally of the arms. Thus there is no possibility of the arms being deformed due to imposition of an excessive Weight thereon. The strengthof the structure is further enhanced by employing arms 2l and 28 of U-shaped or channeled cross-.section throughout the major portion of the lengths thereof. At the arm ends, the channel side members are pressed together and slotted as indicated at 2lb and 28h to receive the end links of the chains I4 and I5. The appearance of the device is materially enhanced by shaping the center portion 29 of the arm member I8 to have opposed side skirts 32 and 33 which embrace the sides of the cup-shaped portion 24 of the base I'I. These skirts also serve to enhance the rigidity of the arm member I8 in that they interconnect the side walls of the channeled arms 2l and 2B.

-As, indicated above, the cup-shaped assembly member 19 is utilized to support the socket type circuit connector 20. To this end, the bottom wall .of the member I 9.15 provided With a rectangularly shaped opening 35 through which a shouldered portion of the rectangular-shaped connector 20 extends to render the outlet contacts of the connector accessibile for circuit connection with the lamps of the fixture I I. It will be understood that the shouldered portion of the connector housing seats upon the edges of the opening 3-5 and that due to the rectangular configuration of this housing and the opening 35 through which the shouldered housing portion projects, the assembly element 2l not only serves to hold the connector 20 in position Within the member I9 but to restrain the connector against rotation relative to the member IS.

If desired, the modified construction illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings may be employed for the purpose of holding the connector 20 in assembled position within the cup-shaped assembly member IS. As there shown, the U-shaped assembly element 2| is provided with (laterally extending leg ends 2 Ia and 2 Ib which are adapted to be snapped beneath the deformed portion 34 of the member I9 during assembly of the device to hold the connector 20 in seating engagement with the bottom wall of the assembly member I9. rEhis construction of the assembly element 2l provides a convenient arrangement for assembling the connector 20 upon the member I9 without using screws, bolts or the like.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be understood that the present invention affords a simple, rugged and reliable device for supporting a fluorescent or other elongated lamp fixture from a conduit box or the like in any desired angular setting within a horizontal plane. In this regard it will be understood that to change the angular position of the fixture II, it is only necessary, to grasp one or both of the arms 21 and 28 adjacent the ends thereof and impose the necessary force thereon to rotate the arm member I8 relative to the base II. Such relative rotation occurs at the engaged surfaces of the parts 25 and 30. Due to the clamping force exerted upon these bearing surfaces by the assembly member I9, inadvertent rotation of the fixture II is positively prevented once the desired lamp fixture setting is established in the manner just explained.

While there have been described what are at present considered to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein which are within the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for supporting an elongated lamp fixture from a conduit box or the like having an open side, comprising a base adapted to be fixedly secured to a conduit box or the like to at least partially cover the open side thereof, an arm member provided With opposed and angularly related rigid arms extending outwardly and downwardly from the center portion thereof and provided with ends adapted for connection with fixture supporting elements, and an assembly member rotatably supporting said arm member from said base member and having portions frictionally engaging said base and said center portion of said arm member and holding said base and said arm member in firm engagement with each other.

2. A device for supporting an elongated lamp fixture from a conduit box or the like having an open side, comprising a base adapted to be fixedly secured to a conduit box or the like to at least partially Vcover rthe open side thereof and provided said base and said member adjacent said openings being in engagement, and an assembly member extending within said openings in said base and said arm member and having portions embracing the edges of said openings rotatably to support said member from said base and to clamp said surfaces in frictional engagement, whereby said base and said arm member are frictionally restrained against relative rotation.

3. A device for supporting an elongated lamp fixture from a conduit box or the like having an open side, comprising a base adapted to be ixedly secured to a conduit box or the like to at least partially cover the open side thereof and provided with a central opening, an arm member provided with oppositely extending arms adapted to have fixture supporting elements attached thereto and having a central opening registering with the central opening of said base, the surfaces of said base and said member adjacent said openings being in engagement, a, cup-shaped member provided with deformed side walls embracing the edges of said openings rotatably to support said arm member from said base and to clamp said surfaces in frictional engagement, whereby said base and said arm member are frictionally restrained against relative rotation, said cupshaped member having an opening in the bottom thereof, a circuit connector supported within said cup-shaped member and provided With outlet contacts accessible through said last-named opening, and assembly means holding said connector in assembled position within said cupshaped member.

4. A device for supporting an elongated lamp fixture from a conduit box or the like having an open side, comprising a base adapted to be xedly secured to a conduit box or the like to at least partiallycover the open side thereof and provided with a central opening, an arm member provided with oppositely extending arms adapted to have fixture supporting elements attached thereto and having a central opening registering with the central opening of said base, the surfaces of said base and said member adjacent said openings being in engagement, a cup-shaped member provided with deformed side walls embracing the edges of said openings rotatably to support said arm member from said base and to clamp said surfaces in frictional engagement, whereby said base and said arm member are frictionally restrained against relative rotation, said cupshaped member having an opening in the bottom thereof, a circuit connector supported within said cup-shaped member and provided with outlet contacts accessible through said last-named opening, and a U-shaped assembly element embracing said circuit connector and provided with laterally projecting legends extending beneath the deformed portions of said cup-shaped member to hold said connector in assembled position within said cup-shaped member.

`5. A device for supporting an elongated lamp xture from a conduit box or the like having an open side, comprising a base adapted to be xedly secured to a conduit box or the like to at least partially cover the open side thereof and provided with a central opening, an arm member provided with opposed and angularly related arms extending outwardly and downwardly from the center portion thereof and provided with notched ends adapted for connection with fixture supporting elements, the center portion of said arm member having an opening registering with 4the central opening of said base and the surfaces of said base and said arm member adjacent said openings being in engagement, a cup-shaped member provided with deformed side walls embracing the edges of said openings rotatably to support said arm' member from said base and to clamp said surfaces in frictional engagement, whereby said base and said arm member are frictionally restrained against relative rotation, said cup-shaped member having an opening in the bottom thereof, aV circuit connector supported within said cup-shaped member and pro- I vided with outlet contacts accessible through said last-named opening, and assembly means holding said connector in assembled position within said cup-shaped member.

6. A device for supporting an elongated lamp fixture from a conduit box or the like having an open side, comprising a base adapted to be fixedly secured to a conduit box or the like to at least partially cover the open side thereof and provided with a central opening, an arm member provided with opposed and angularly related arms of channeled cross-section extending outwardly and downwardly from the center portion thereof in substantially straight lines toward the ends of the supported xture, said arms being provided with notched ends adapted for connection with fixture supporting elements extending to the ends of the supported xture, the center portion of said arm member having an opening registering with the central opening of said base and the surfaces of said base and said arm member adjacent said openings being in engagement, a cup-shaped member provided with deformed side walls embracing the edges of said openings rotatably to support said arm member from said base and to clamp said surfaces in frictional engagement, whereby said base and said arm member are frictionally restrained against relativ-e rotation, said cup-shaped member having an opening in the bottom thereof, a circuit connector supported within said cup-shaped m'ember and provided with outlet contacts accessible through said last-named opening, and assembly means holding said connector in assembled position within said cup-shaped member.

E. HAROLD ANDERSON, Administrator With. the Will Annered of the Estate of Emst G. Anderson, Deceased.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

